Why should we cruise with Celebrity?
We asked Celebrity why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
Set sail on the vacation of a lifetime aboard one of Celebrity's award-winning cruise and river ships. The luxurious fleet merges cutting-edge technology with welcoming interiors and revolutionary venues. Discover the unrivaled luxury of The Retreat®. Experience visionary spaces, like the Magic Carpet®, that are like nothing you’ve seen before. On Celebrity's ships, you’ll cruise the world's oceans and Europe's rivers while enjoying the height of style, comfort, and service throughout your journey.
What destinations are Celebrity exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia Baltic Canada & New England Caribbean Central America & Panama Europe More...Celebrity snapshot
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The low down on Celebrity from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Celebrity Cruises is a premium “modern luxury” cruise line, and more recently a river cruise line as well. Known for their stylish design, and relaxed upscale atmosphere as well as their standout newer ships like the Edge Series and their new launched river ships. Compared with mainstream lines such as Royal Caribbean and NCL, Celebrity generally feels more like a contemporary resort at sea - ideal for couples and travellers who value dining, comfort and refined service over high-energy attractions. For travellers seeking luxury, The Retreat, onboard their ocean ships, offer exclusive lounge access and elevated suite-level benefits, while “All read more Included” pricing bundles drinks and Wi-Fi for better value.
Who cruises with Celebrity?
Primarily couples and solo travellers, including food and wine connoisseurs and travellers who enjoy modern luxury settings.
What are Celebrity known for?
A half-acre real lawn at sea, Michelin-starred chef-curated dining, a large wine collection and the Magic Carpet on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex.
Are Celebrity's fares all-inclusive?
No. Celebrity Cruises have pre-packaged their most popular amenities - Drinks and Wi-Fi which is a common addtion to the base fare.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Specialty dining, alcoholic and some other beverages, shore excursions, room service charges after 11pm, WiFi packages and some onboard activities require additional payment.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are included for Australian and New Zealand passengers. They are not included for North American passengers.
Are shore excursions included?
No except on Celebrity's expedition cruises onboard Celebrity Flora.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. Charges apply unless Celebrity's Drinks & WiFi All Included Package is selected
Does Celebrity have a loyalty program?
Yes. Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Azamara offer reciprocal benefits to members enrolled in their loyalty programs.
Is Celebrity a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. Children are accepted from 6 months, or 12 months on select cruises, with dedicated programs and facilities available. Expedition ships have some service limitations.
Are any onboard activities included?
Enrichment programs such as guest lectures and some onboard classes, with art and technology classes available on select ships. Most onboard activities and entertainment are included.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes, except on Celebrity Flora
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Yes. Charges apply for activities such as glassblowing and mixology classes; some specialised training programs and occasional special entertainment may also cost extra.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Celebrity's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available and charges apply.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
Yes.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Yes. Juice, water, tea and coffee are available at stations across the ship, with select soft drinks at meals.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No except on Celebrity's expedition cruises onboard Celebrity Flora.
Do Celebrity sell any beverage packages?
Yes, Celebrity Cruises have pre-packaged their most popular amenities - Drinks and Wi-Fi - one price, all included.
Do Celebrity offer room service?
Yes. Available 24/7, with a late-night fee applying.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon services are available and charges apply. Celebrity Flora offers smaller spa facilities.
Are there gyms onboard Celebrity's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard Celebrity's ships?
Yes. Group fitness classes are included complimentary, although some specialised training programs may incur additional charges.
Do Celebrity offer personal training?
Yes. Charges apply. Not avaialble on Celebrity Flora
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No.
Do Celebrity offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent Celebrity reviews
Thank you Grace for looking after us we would recommend Grace as a travel agent nothing was to much bother and responses to our questions were always timely.
Celebrity's most popular trips this month...
Why should we cruise with Viking?
We asked Viking why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
A Viking ocean cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Scandinavia, Asia, the Mediterranean or the Americas, our itineraries are designed to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next.
Our state-of-the-art small ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any casinos or kids on board. Plus, our fares read more include just about everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.
Viking is the world’s leading small-ship cruise line, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
What destinations are Viking exploring this season?
Alaska Antarctica Arctic Asia Australia & New Zealand Baltic Canada & New England Caribbean More...Viking snapshot
Total No. CruisesDeparturesAvg. cruise lengthAvg. price per day (by cabin type)No. of ShipsAll-Inclusive levelOnboard currencyOur thoughts...
The low down on Viking from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Purpose built and newly launched in 2017, Viking now boasts 16 mid-sized ships each accommodating between 930-998 guests, as well as 2 expedition ships (max 378 guests) that explore the world's most remote destinations. Already award winning, their itineraries are varied from worldwide journeys to smaller explorations of the Nordic region, Indian ocean, Asia, Oceania, Caribbean and the Med. Viking position these cruises as 'The Thinking Person’s Cruise', with included and optional shore excursions covering each destinations cultural and historic highlights. So if you are looking for water-slides, children's facilities and casino's, then perhaps read more another cruise company is more suited.
Who cruises with Viking?
Retired and semi-retired world travellers.
What are Viking known for?
Adults only cruising, Scandinavian design, destination-focused experiences and no casinos.
Are Viking's fares all-inclusive?
No. Premium beverages and some excursions cost extra. House beers and wine are included with meals and a courtesy shore excursion is offered at each port.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Premium beverages and selected shore excursions, plus some onboard experiences such as The Kitchen Table, cost extra.
Are gratuities included?
Yes, but only for Australian and New Zealand passengers.
Are shore excursions included?
Yes. One courtesy shore excursion is offered at each port on classic cruises; expedition cruises include at least one shore excursion per landing day.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. Complimentary WiFi is available.
Does Viking have a loyalty program?
No. The Viking Explorer Society offers credit and referral rewards to past Viking passengers only.
Is Viking a family friendly cruise-line?
No. Children under 18 are not accepted.
Are any onboard activities included?
Enrichment lectures, film screenings, presentations, daily expedition briefings, scientific programs in The Laboratory, complimentary dining, evening entertainment and free WiFi.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
No.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Some experiences, such as The Kitchen Table, incur additional charges. Specialised fitness classes may also cost extra.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Viking's ships?
Yes. Viking offers seven complimentary restaurants on its mid-sized ships.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
No.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Yes. Purified water is provided in all staterooms; soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and specialty coffees and assorted hot teas are available 24 hours a day.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
Complimentary house wines and beers are served with lunch and dinner.
Do Viking sell any beverage packages?
Yes. For premium cocktails or wines and spirits, Viking offers the Silver Spirits beverage package.
Do Viking offer room service?
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa access is complimentary and spa and salon services are available for a charge.
Are there gyms onboard Viking's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard Viking's ships?
Yes. Classes may include yoga, Zumba, TRX and Body Conditioning; specialised classes may attract a charge.
Do Viking offer personal training?
Yes and charges apply. Not available on expedition ships.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
Yes. Complimentary self-service laundry.
Do Viking offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent Viking reviews
Be aware there are a few sea days extra as we missed Falkland Islands high winds. Extension Iguazza Falls brilliant read more but very tiring as no free time longs days. Advice is this is extended by one day in both Brazil and Rio! Great memories so glad we saw parts of South America 🌺
One bit we found a bit perhaps unfair is when they release the excursions, the penthouses, owners suites, Explorers suites etc get to choose & book first, thereby making it harder to get a spot in places where there is a very big highlight…such as Alhambra. We booked our excursions the second they were sent to us & still missed out. Three of the restaurants stand out, Manfredi, Chefs Table & The Restaurant - excellent food choices & high standard but not snooty at all, but that is not to say the casual restaurants & cafes were anything other than very good. You do not need to dress up, just smart casual is fine. It’s never been our choice to go to any of the shows so can’t comment. It will be nearly impossible for us to choose another company to sail with in the future.
Viking's most popular trips this month...
The Verdict - Celebrity Cruises vs Viking Cruises
Celebrity Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises both sit in the premium market, but they offer quite different experiences. Celebrity has larger ships, more entertainment, a broader choice of dining and a more contemporary onboard atmosphere, while Viking focuses on smaller ships, destination immersion and a more inclusive fare with fewer onboard extras to pay for.
Which offers better value?
Viking is generally more expensive upfront, but considerably more is included in the fare: one shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, all onboard dining including specialty restaurants, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, specialty coffee and tea, 24-hour room service, self-service laundry and access to the Nordic Spa. Celebrity’s cruise-only fare includes accommodation, most dining and entertainment, with drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and excursions generally extra, although its All Included fare bundles a Classic Drinks Package and Basic Wi-Fi. Once you add the extras you’ll actually use on Celebrity, the price difference between the two can narrow considerably.
Which ships will suit me best?
Viking’s ocean ships are smaller and intentionally very similar, carrying around 930–998 guests, with Scandinavian styling, all-veranda accommodation and plenty of quiet indoor and outdoor spaces. There are no casinos, no children under 18 and no formal nights, so the atmosphere is calm and adult-focused. Celebrity’s ships are much larger and more varied, with family facilities, casinos, larger entertainment venues and innovations such as the Lawn Club and Magic Carpet. If you want plenty happening onboard, Celebrity offers more choice; Viking suits travellers who prefer a quieter, more consistent small-ship experience.
Which offers the better dining experience?
Both put plenty of emphasis on food, but take different approaches. Celebrity offers a wider range of restaurants and cuisines, including complimentary and specialty venues plus exclusive dining for AquaClass and Retreat guests. Viking offers fewer restaurants, but all dining is included, including specialty venues such as Manfredi’s, and its menus place a strong focus on regional cuisine and the destinations being visited. Viking also includes beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, while Celebrity guests will generally need a beverage package if they want alcoholic drinks included.
What’s the onboard experience like?
Celebrity is the stronger choice if you enjoy larger-scale entertainment, nightlife and a busy program of shows, music and activities. Viking takes a much quieter approach, with destination-focused lectures, cultural performances, enrichment programs and plenty of spaces to relax. Both offer excellent spa facilities, although Viking includes access to its Nordic Spa – including features such as the thermal pool, sauna, steam room and Snow Grotto – while comparable thermal facilities on Celebrity generally cost extra unless included with your accommodation category.
Which has the better itineraries?
Celebrity’s larger fleet gives you more ships, departure dates and itineraries to choose from, including its separate Galápagos program aboard Celebrity Flora. Viking places greater emphasis on longer, destination-focused voyages and also operates dedicated expedition ships in Antarctica, the Arctic and other remote regions. On Viking’s ocean cruises, one shore excursion is included in every port, with additional excursions available to purchase, while Celebrity shore excursions generally cost extra. Viking also tends to feature more point-to-point itineraries, while Celebrity offers plenty of round-trip cruises, so the best option may depend as much on how you want to travel as where you want to go.
